Report by LBSU
The Long Beach State softball team came out on the wrong end of a seesaw battle as it dropped a 10-9, eight-inning decision to Cal State Northridge Sunday afternoon at Matador Diamond.
The Beach knocked out a season-high 14 hits, including home runs from junior Christina Schallig and seniors Kristen Pocock and Ashley Weber. Schallig finished the day 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI. Freshman Nalani St. Germain went 2-for-2 with three walks and a pair of runs, while Pocock and senior Ashley Levine also tallied two hits apiece.
Sophomore Taylor Petty was credited with the loss, allowing seven runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks.
The 49ers, who got on the board in each of the first three innings, pushed two runs across on a pair of hits in the opening frame. St. Germain drew a leadoff walk and stole second on the next pitch. Caitrin DeBaun also walked before Brandy Reyes singled up the middle to load the bases. After Liz Javier struck out, Schallig punched a two-out single through the right side to plate St. Germain and DeBaun, giving LBSU an early 2-0 lead.
The Beach (19-18, 3-3 BWC) tacked on one more in the second when Levine opened the inning with a single up the middle. Bree Stephan was then hit by the pitch before St. Germain was issued her second walk of the game. After Weber lined out to short, DeBaun drew a bases loaded walk to score Levine from third.
Schallig accounted for the 49ers’ run in the third frame as she sent a shot over the left field fence for her second long ball of the weekend.
The Matadors’ bats came alive in the bottom half of the inning as they scored six runs to take the lead. Alexandria Alvarado highlighted the rally with a three-run triple. CSUN added an insurance run in the fourth for a 7-4 advantage.
Long Beach State answered in the fifth inning, however, pushing five runs across to regain the lead. Pocock brought the 49ers within one with a two-run homer. Levine and St. Germain followed with a pair of hits before Weber connected for her first career home run to put LBSU up, 9-7.
Cal State Northridge (18-20, 2-4 BWC) battled back in the bottom of the seventh as Tracy Allen led off with an infield single before back-to-back doubles by Christina Saenz and Mikayla Thielges evened the score, sending the game into extra innings.
The Matadors then pushed the game-winner across in the eighth as Carlsen singled down the left field line, scoring Jaclyn Rymer from second.
Long Beach State stays on the road next weekend as it heads north for its Big West Conference series against UC Davis, April 17-18.